Advances in mode-locked sources allow ultrafast optical fields to be programmed both spatially and temporally. Sophisticated electronics and computer control increase the complexity of measurements that one can make on optical fields. Computer modeling and simulation have also advanced to where one can model extraordinarily complex optical fields. Through computer simulations and optimization, one can design optical pulses with specialized functions and explore unique field-matter interactions and phenomena that were hitherto impossible. In addition, through the synthesis of optics, nanometer scale control, and intensive signal processing, one can now detect and analyze multidimensional ultrafast complex optical pulses. In this thesis, I discuss applications of time-domain and polychromatic optical fields, which illustrate the benefits of the amalgamation of experimental optics and computational analysis.In the first half of this thesis, the following topics are discussed, which incorporate ultrafast field-matter interactions and time-domain optical fields: (1) Simulations of optical pulse discrimination using nonlinear Fabry-Perot cavities. (2) Simulations of the creation of one- and two-dimensional superresolved features in quantum dynamic absorbers. (3) Simulations of localized absorption in one-dimensional two-level systems.With regard to polychromatic optical fields and interferometry and its applications, the second half of this thesis discusses: (1) The information capacity of a high-precision broad-band interferometer used for superresolved optical scanning. (2) The theoretical analysis and experimental verification of superresolved optical scanning using polychromatic light.